LAUSR

This study entails in situ reactive compatibilization of post‐consumer mixed plastic waste using two different coupling agents. The mixed plastic waste was compatibilized through melt mixing using maleic anhydride (MAH) and bisphenol A (BPA) epoxy as coupling agents by adding benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as an initiator. The compatibilized blends comprising low‐density polyethylene (LDPE), high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) showed significant improvement in mechanical and thermal properties when characterized using tensile, impact, hardness, heat deflection temperature testing, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). MAH content was varied from 0.5% to 2.0%, where compatibilized blends showed a 58% increase in tensile strength, a 112% increase in elongation at break, and an increase in other properties as well. The TGA of compatibilized blends showed a significant increase in degradation temperatures as compared to uncompatibilized blends. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the grafting of coupling agents as compatibilizing phase, whereas SEM images showed a homogeneous dispersed phase morphology on compatibilization. Reaction schemes are proposed for in situ compatibilization, and interaction among phases is depicted schematically explaining the properties improvement. An optimum loading (i.e., 1.5%) of MAH was suggested for maximum mechanical properties, showing a saturation loading content of compatibilizer. This study showed in situ compatibilization as a promising technique for upcycling mixed plastic waste.